Speaker

Clifford Will

Washington University in St. Louis

Physics

314-935-6244

cmw@wuphys.wustl.edu

Was Einstein Right?

We review the experimental evidence for Einstein's general We review the experimental evidence for Einstein's general relativity. Tests of the Einstein Equivalence Principle support the postulates of curved spacetime, while solar-system experiments strongly confirm weak-field general relativity. The Binary Pulsar provides tests of gravitational-wave damping and of strong-field general relativity. We describe ongoing and future experiments, such as the Stanford Gyroscope Experiment, a satellite test of the Equivalence principle, and tests of gravity at short distance to look for extra spatial dimensions. Recently completed laser interferometric gravitational-wave observatories may soon provide new tests via the properties of gravitational waves. We also discuss the practical importance of general relativity in everyday life.